Elise Clark a true community champion
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Communities rise and/or fall dictated largely by the residents within them – so it’s the key movers and shakers that make or break a town. Kelowna, thankfully, has had a plethora of outstanding leaders and we are much better off today, because of them.
It’s difficult to find a better example of such a community champion than Elise Clark.
Elise truly gave her heart and soul to this town.
I was reminded of Elise’s efforts for the city while sitting in the city council penalty box (green room) changing my air tanks and looking up at the pictures of pictures of past councils on the wall. Elsie was up there a few times
When I dig into the memory bank it feels like I knew Elise all my life. In reality – it was only most of my life.
Most long-time Kelowna residents remember the diminutive lady who, despite her stature, never stepped aside from a challenge.
With Elise Clark you pretty much knew where you stood, what she thought, and how to change the situation if it needed changing. If you were unsure – Elise would tell you.
I first met Elise when she was good friends with my father – another person of strong conviction and no slouch when it came to standing up for what was right. Even back then both of them were heavily involved in the community.
Dad was on City Council in Kelowna from 1970-73 and ironically Elise was elected to council soon after Dad was forced to leave due to his health conditions. Elise was first elected to council in 1974 and served there until 1993.
Elise and Dad did not always see eye to eye but they had no problem looking each other in the eye and then agree to disagree in a respectful and productive way. They shared a tremendous respect for each other and it showed in the work they accomplished together and individually for Kelowna.
Elise was around our home a lot when I was a teenager. We were also in contact often when I was working in newspapers and on environmental issues. She always took the time to listen to my thoughts or concerns.
During her last few years we kept in touch a fair bit, especially when I sat on City Council. (I believe Dad and I are the only father/son Councillors in Kelowna). Elise would bend my ear on many issues, and I remember thinking how time can often ironically reverse roles in people’s lives. I hold dear several fond memories of chats we had, and her insistence that I remain true to my beliefs and not “knuckle under” to pressure. The past couple years were hard on her health wise but she remained a trooper throughout.
In many ways Elise was a ground breaker or certainly an inspiration for many issues or people. It is safe to say that very few people ever had the impact on Kelowna Elise did.
A brief chronology of some of her life, provided to me by family members, provides testimony to that comment.
Consider this track record:
- 1969-74 – Director, Educational Convener, President for the Kelowna & District Society for Retarded Children.
- 1969-98 – Charter Member, Director, John Howard Society,
- 1970-72 – Researcher and author of a report advocating the establishment of a level of health care, called Intermediate Care, in B.C.
- 1975 – Proposed successfully to City they add a ‘Woman of the Year’ Award to the Civic Awards, in recognition of the United Nations’ International Woman’s Year.
- 1975-79 – Council Appointee to the Planning Council, which established: Kelowna Women’s Emergency Shelter, S.H.A.R.E., Crisis Line, and Advice Services Kelowna.
- 1976 – Chaired the first Bicycle Committee of Council, which resulted in a comprehensive Bike System Plan and Bicycle Lanes.
- 1977 – Co-Founded first non-profit Children’s Day-Care Society in Kelowna.
- 1977-78 – Central Okanagan Regional District Director.
- 1977-82 – Director, Vice-President, Past President, B.C. Association for the Mentally Handicapped.
- 1978-79 – Member of the National Parole Board.
- 1980-81 – Director of the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded.
- 1981 – Chaired the City’s Accessibility Committee, International Year of the Handicapped.
- 1981-98 – Co-founder, President of the Howard Fry Housing Society
- 1985 – Chaired the Kelowna Crime prevention Committee, which led to establishment of Crime Stoppers.
- 1988-98 – Broke gender barrier in Kelowna by becoming member of Kiwanis Club of Kelowna. Served as President 1997.
- 1988-01 Parliamentarian for National Parole Board
- 1991 – Chaired the B.C. Games for the Physically Disabled
- 1993 – President of Kelowna & District Safety Council and Director of B.C. Safety Council, Consultant Kelowna Community Kitchens Society.
- 1993-97 – Director of the Kiwanis Towers.
- 1994-97 – Founder, first President, of the K.L.O. Neighbourhood Association.
- 1995 – Chair of the Central Okanagan United Way Campaign
- 1996-98 – President of the Mid-Valley Bingo Association.
- 1997-98 Director of the Kiwanis Music Festival Society.
The list goes on but suffice to say few gave so much of their time and heart to our town. You deserve further recognition for all you did Elise, though that would not make you feel uncomfortable.
I’m glad I took a few minutes extra looking up at the pictures today and acknowledging the deserving mugs on the wall. I will do this again. It’s a reminder how the people on that wall were hard working caring people that made our world a better place.
We are better for you, Elise, thank you.
